THERE will be no official opening for Woking’s new green centrepiece, the Albion Square canopy.

After 21 months of building work and millions of pounds spent, there are no plans to trumpet the structure’s completion.

It doesn’t even have a proper name and has been referred to as ‘the awning’ and ‘the big white thing,’ though most people call it simply ‘the canopy.’

Boasting photovoltaic cells to harness the sun’s power, it has been a controversial project from the start.

Construction began in January 2006 and was originally due for completion in November last year. But bus routes only started running again through the reopened square and into High Street last month after lengthy delays.

The smart new square, located directly outside Woking train station on the town centre side, has been completely remodelled with cobbles and paving, raised flowerbeds and benches.

Overhead spreads the canopy, a glass and steel structure straddling Albion Square and converting sunlight into electricity using cells on its roof.

Flowers by Rosemary, a florists which looks out directly onto the square, has endured more than a year-and-a-half of reduced trade, noise and disruption during the construction work.

Janet Braisby from the store said: “When it rains we get a puddle of water forming near our front door so there are a couple of issues that still need ironing out.”

Like others she felt the site had been improved but was worried about the large new flowerbeds becoming a focal point for late-night drinkers.

She said: “There have already been plants pulled out over the weekend. People eat their takeaways down there and it attracts more people at night so it’s noisier.”

Another group pleased to see the back of the building works are taxi drivers, who struggled to attract business while their rank was re-sited during construction took place.

Driver Mohammad Adris said: “Now it’s finished I really reckon the canopy is brilliant but in terms of trade we lost almost half of our business, including most of our shopping trade.

“Now we are pleased that it’s all reopened. Woking is always well known for environmental projects and I’m in favour of that aspect of it. But I cannot see how the cost is justified.”

Stephen Rowe, 56 and from central Woking, felt it looked good, saying: “I’m impressed with it visually. I think it’s more like a piece of art than a useful entity but the way it generates solar power is marvellous.”

One of the canopy’s intended functions is to act as a gateway to the town. But Scott McGettigan, 19, and in the army, was visiting Woking for the first time and had a mixed first impression.

He said: “The area probably looks better than it did before but I can still see everything else that hasn’t been done up, so it’s not that impressive.”

Others were more scathing. April Hiley, 20 and a full-time mum, said: “To be honest I think it’s a waste of money. The area was fine the way it was before.

“They just did it to make Woking look smarter but they haven’t done anything to the rest of the town, they’ve just stuck this next to the train station. They should have just left it the way it was.”

Cllr Rob Leach, ward representative for Goldsworth East, emphasised the long-term benefits the canopy could bring. He said: “Most people arriving by train for the first time come through the square and it gives a sense of place.

“It gives the area character and distinction compared to how it was before and that’s so important for new residents and business people.

“Who knows what it might lead to? First impressions count and that’s a good first impression.”